Euphemia Blakey 1797-1875

History of Euphemia Blakey Reid

Submitted by Grace Reid Russell

Written by Nora Lund

Euphemia Blakey Reid was born in New Gray Friars Edinburgh, Scotland on the 23rd of Sept. 1797. She was the daughter of Peter Blakey or Blackie, who was born in Heddington, Scotland in 1770, and died 1837 in Scotland. Her mother’s maiden name was Hellen or Ellen Cowen, born in Heddingtonshire, Scotland in 1771 and died 1825 in Scotland.

At the age of 23 Euphemia married George Reid at New Grey Friars Edinburgh, Scotland, He was 25 years old, having been born 20 Oct. 1795 in Denny loanhead, Stirling:, Scotland. His parents were George and Margaret Jervis Reid.

In 1841 a great change came into the lives of -the Reid family, they were introduced to Mormonism .According to Vol. 13, Our Pioneer Heritage", this new relegion (sic) was brought to Scotland by Elders Samuel Mulliner and Alexander Wright in Dec. 1839. Within 15 months there were 600 Saints in Scotland. George, Euphemia's husband, and her son George were the first in the family to be baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sept. 1841. However, Euphemia did not join the Church until the 6th of March 1842. Her daughter Ellen was also baptized in 1842, as was Grace. John Greig in 1847 and James Greig in 1852.

Euphemia’s son, John G. gives in his "family Genealogy" record about his parents , who were members of the L.D.S. Church, being very poor during his childhood and having to work very herd for a living. He says he commenced to serve his time as a Baker and worked to do so till March 19, (Feb. 28 is the correct date) when his parents emigrated to the Mountains", e q.

Grace Russell found in her records that it was the ship “Falcon" that her Great grandmother, Euphemia, and the rest of the Reid family, had passage on to cross the great Atlantic Ocean. This sailing vessel left Liverpool England, Feb. 28th with 324 Saints on board under the direction of Cor Bagnall’s direction. It arrived at .New Orleans on May 18th, 1853.

These Saints of 1853 came up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in steam boats, and deposited their passangers (sic) at the outfitting stations in Iowa. Some companies were organized for their treek (sic) across the plains this year at Six Mile Grove, others at Keokuk and still others at Kanesville.lowa (Vol. 12 Heart Throbs) There were 13 organized companies with over 3000 Saints who crossed the plains that year.

John mentions that the Reids arrived in Salt Lake City on the l8th of Oct. 1858. Refering (sic) again to Vol. 12, trying to determine which of the companies arrived Oct.l8th we note that the nearest to that date is the Appleton M. Harmon Company which left Kanesville, Iowa on 14 July 8S53 and arrived in Salt Lake Oct. 16 There were 200 souls and 22 wagons in this group.

From the book, "Tales of a Triumphant People'', tells that in 1849, Great Salt Lake City was divided into 19 Wards. When the Reid family arrived they found suitable living conditions in the 16th Ward. Euphemia found the women of the Ward, friendly and anxious to assist her in making her home comfortable in this new country.

Still quoting for the Salt Lake County book we note- “In the fall of 1857 Bishop Kesler of the 16th Ward was appointed a Major of the legion, and was called upon to furnish 25 men from the Sixteenth Ward to march to Echo Canyon to stop Johnston’s Army from entering Salt Lake City.

Euphemia was much concerned because her son John -was a member of this group, leaving the City in & heavy snow storm in December. During the move south in 1858, every house in the Ward was vacated, the windows being boarded up and preparations made to burn everything in case of trouble with army.

George Reid and his family traveled south to Salt Creek (Nephi) where they built a cabin and stayed until the army marched thru the City and established themselves at Camp Floyd, Utah County. It was a time of rejoicing when the people came back to their homes which had not been disturbed.

George made a good living for his wife and family by working at his trade as a plaster. When Euphemia Reid was 72 years old and her children were all married, her dear husband died on the 16th of Dec. 1869 in Salt Lake City. He was laid to rest in the City Cemetery. She lived a lonesome widow for nearly 6 years and died on the 21st of March 1875, and was also buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. She left a large posterity to honor her name.